Recently, we had a chance to visit the James and Barbara Moore observatory on the Edison State College campus in Charlotte, Florida. Located just outside Punta Gorda and just an hours’ drive south of Tampa Bay, this facility is a great resource for public outreach.

Also known as the Charlotte Campus observatory, this domed-building sits right on a small lake and even has its own moat, complete with alligators!

A visit to the observatory is a must if you are travelling along the Florida Gulf Coast. The observatory offers free public viewing sessions on the first Friday of each month during the school year. The remaining dates for 2014 are currently listed as March 7, April 4, and May 2, and viewing typically starts after sunset and 30-45 minutes before astronomical twilight.

The observatory also hosts viewing for special events, and although none are currently slated, it’s always worth checking the observatory information line at 941-637-3518. There is a total lunar eclipse visible from Florida on the night of April 15, 2014 coming up. The observatory is also available for special group openings and has several mounting piers around the observatory deck for extra ‘scopes.

Observatory director David Hanson and his wife Nancy were generous hosts, and opened the observatory for us as darkness fell to tour the night sky. The 20 foot dome hosts a fine 90’s era LX200 Meade 14” Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector as well as a host of smaller and curious instruments garnered from around the state.

What’s in the dome: A closeup of the Meade LX200 14″ SCT ‘scope.

Established in 1997 by a gift to the Edison College Foundation by James and Barbara Moore, the observatory has become a hub for public outreach in astronomy and has since been enjoyed by students and members of the local community alike.

Getting there is easy and the observatory follows our own mantra from our days of outreach at the Flandrau observatory in Tucson, staying open on public nights “as long as stargazers linger.” The observatory grounds on campus are a sight in themselves, a quiet area along the lake that would lend itself to a stroll or a picnic (just watch out for the ubiquitous Florida alligators).

And although Florida atmospheric seeing — and seeing along the rest of the eastern seaboard, for that matter — isn’t the greatest due to ever pervasive moisture and humidity, great views of deep sky objects can still be had. We also learned that a closed in dome roof is actually preferable to an open slide off roof observatory in this climate, as it traps in its own little “micro-climate” and protects the equipment from dew.

The Charlotte campus is also working to fight light pollution, and has full cutoff fixtures that are up to code within sight of the observatory, a great and welcome bonus.

The Charlotte Campus Observatory is a great find for any Florida traveler interested in space and astronomy. Add in a visit to the Space Coast and some of secret dark sky sites in Florida such as Westgate River Ranch and you’ve got a perfect trifecta. And our dream Florida dark sky locale? The Dry Tortugas off of the Florida Keys, though you’ve got to take a boat to get there!

Science journalist, astronomy specialist, educator. Retired from the USAF in 2007 and am now a science teacher and freelance science writer. Am out stargazing on every clear night and hope to add science... read more fiction writer to my resume!View author's profile